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Gerbera theme flower for Hong Kong Flower Show (With photos)
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    More than 350,000 flowers will transform Victoria Park into a colourful floral wonderland next Friday (March 14) at the Hong Kong Flower Show 2008.

    The annual show, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will be held from 9am to 9pm daily between March 14 and 24, with the Gerbera as this year's theme flower to give life to the theme of the show: "Vibrant Blossoms for Beijing Olympics".

    The event has attracted more than 200 organisations from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas to take part in showcasing exotic flowers and plants, landscape and floral art displays.

    More than 60,000 pots of Gerbera of more than 100 cultivars will be on display at the showground. Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii), also known as Gerber Daisy, African Daisy or Transvaal Daisy, is a member of the genus Gerbera of the family Asteraceae. It is a perennial plant indigenous to the Transvaal Region of South Africa. There are some 40 species of Gerbera which are widely cultivated and used as ornamental or cut flowers for floral art purpose.

    The Gerbera is cherished by flower lovers for its rich variety of colours and long flowering period. The flowers come in an array of vibrant colours such as red, yellow, orange and white. Gerbera enjoys a considerably long flowering period with flowers usually blooming consecutively for eight to 10 days. If cultivated properly, Gerbera can bloom all year round. With a long flowering period, it is mainly used as cut flowers, potted plants or decorative bedding plants.

    Gerbera prefers an environment that is cool and well ventilated with plenty of sunlight.  The optimum temperature for its growth ranges from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius.

    Scientific research has found that Gerbera is able to purify poisonous gases in the air and is also highly resistant to diseases and pests. It is therefore an ideal potted flower for home and offices.

    A series of fringe activities will complement the 11-day flower show for the enjoyment of visitors. The activities include music and dance performances, floral art demonstrations, cooking demonstrations, green talks and fun games.

    Admission tickets will be available at the entrance to the showground at Victoria Park throughout the show period. They are also available now until March 24 at LCSD's District Leisure Services Offices, and venues with Leisure Link services.

    Admission for adults is $14. Children aged four to 14, students, senior citizens aged 60 or over and persons with a disability pay half price. Senior citizens and persons with a disability have free admission on weekdays (except public holidays) and adults in a group of 30 or more admitted at the same time will pay half price on weekdays (except public holidays).

    For enquiries, please call 2697 8030, fax 2691 7264 or visit the LCSD website at www.lcsd.gov.hk.

Ends/Friday, March 7, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:00

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